Abstract: A method for securing an instant messaging (“IM”) conversation between at least a first and a second user, the first and second users having a first and a second client, respectively, in communication over a network, the method comprising: receiving a command from the first user through an input device and a graphical user interface (“GUI”) presented on a display of the first client to disable copying of the IM conversation; and, transmitting a message to the second client to inform the second client and the second user that copying of the IM conversation has been disabled.

Abstract: A shared light pipe is set forth for transmitting light generated by a message waiting LED in a mobile communication device, in one direction, and transmitting ambient or surrounding light, in an opposite direction, to a light sensor for controlling a display backlight of the device. The light pipe includes an elongated first portion having a first end for receiving and transmitting light and external surfaces for reflecting light there through via total internal reflection (TIR), a second portion coextensive with the first portion for outputting light received at the first end and reflected through the first portion, and a second branch coextensive with the first portion for receiving and transmitting light for output at the first end.

Abstract: A method for inputting characters pairs in an electronic device having a user input device, a display for displaying characters input through the user input device, and a memory for storing characters input through the user input device, including storing a character input through the user input device in the memory and displaying the input character on the display; and determining if the input character is an opening character of a predefined character pair, and if so, automatically and without further user input, causing a corresponding closing character of the predefined character pair to be inserted in the memory and on the display, and locating an input pointer so that subsequently input characters will be inserted between the opening and closing characters in the memory and on the display.

Abstract: A method for arranging test stages in a production line for the assembling and testing of wireless communications devices comprises: determining a plurality of tests for testing an assembled wireless communication device; allocating each test requiring a physical actuation or mechanical dynamics for testing the assembled wireless communication device from the plurality of tests to an interactive test stage in the production line; and, allocating each remaining test requiring no physical actuation or mechanical dynamics for testing from the plurality of tests between the interactive test stage and a non-interactive test stage.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating selection of with which wireless local area network, or other network, that a mobile node should attempt to communicate. A plurality of listings are maintained at storage entities embodied at, or otherwise accessible by, a mobile node. The listings are accessed, in sequence, and entries contained in the listings are compared with networks in whose coverage areas that the mobile node is positioned. Communications are attempted to be effectuated, if possible, with networks in whose coverage area that the mobile node is positioned and whose identities are stored at the first-access listing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing the size of an electronic message on a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may identify address card information in a received electronic message. The mobile communication device may then automatically display a reduced version of the electronic message on the mobile communication device, wherein the address card information is represented by an address card indicia.

Abstract: A multiple-processor wireless mobile communication device is disclosed. A wireless mobile communication device includes a first processor with which software applications are configured to operate, a second processor configured to manage wireless communication operations, and a communication link between the first and second processors. A reliable communications protocol is used for communications between the first and second processors to ensure that control data sent from either one of the processors is received by the other processor.

Abstract: A method, mobile electronic device and system for synchronizing hand-off of a voice media session between a WAN/cellular network and a WLAN network. When a hand-off occurs, the connection with both networks is temporarily maintained and the voice data on both connections compared to determine differences in the delays experienced over both connections. The timing of one or both voice streams is adjusted to synchronize the voice streams, and then the handoff is completed.

Abstract: A mobile device is provided having a rotatable keyboard. The keyboard is attached to the mobile device and is rotatable in a single plane with respect to the device's housing between a first and second position. A plurality of keys are provided having first indicia in a first orientation relating to key functions in the first position and second indicia in a second orientation relating to key functions in the second position. The indicia are properly oriented with respect to the user in the first and second positions to display a telephone keypad and an alternate keyboard. The arrangement provides greater ergonomic comfort to a user when entering text. The mobile device can assign functions to each key based on a determined keyboard position and can include a weighted end piece to protect the rotatable keyboard from potential damage due to impact.

Abstract: Interacting digitally communicating devices cooperate to schedule future meetings include a capability to handle conditional acceptance of meeting requests. For example, a conditional acceptance may be subject to Boolean logic functions of the acceptance status(es) of other meeting invitees (e.g., the condition that another specific one or more invitees also accept the meeting request).

Abstract: A method of rendering text on an output device using a pre-developed image of a custom font. An image file defines an image of a custom developed character set. The custom character set may be developed off-line using graphics development tools. Associated character information enables the location of specific characters within the image. When a text character is output to a display or other output device, a custom font module locates the text character within the image and defines a subimage that contains the text character. The subimage is rendered upon the output device, thereby producing an image of the text character.

Abstract: A method of system access from a wireless device to a wireless network, the network having a plurality of base stations includes the steps of: selecting at least one reverse link cost metric from a list of predetermined reverse link cost metrics; determining a reverse link cost according to the selected at least one reverse link cost metric; selecting a candidate base station from the plurality of base stations; sending a probe signal at the reverse link cost to the candidate base station; waiting for a response from the candidate base station within a timeout period; and repeating steps until timeout, or until the condition that a response is received from at least one candidate base station so that at least one candidate base station can be used to provide system access from the wireless device to the wireless network.

Abstract: A handheld communication device includes a single notification element, which may be, for instance, a plurality of light emitting diodes packaged together, and a microprocessor for controlling the single notification element such that the single notification element presents a temporal color pattern to indicate a state of the handheld communication device.

Abstract: A communication device recognizes a first string of characters as a telephone number and a second string of characters as additional information related to the telephone number. A menu is then displayed having a menu item including the telephone number and the additional information. When the user has selected the menu item, the telephone number and the additional information are provided to a telephone application of the communication device.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection includes a first conductive trace and a second conductive trace. The first conductive trace defines a first conductive periphery and is deposited on a first surface. The second conductive trace defines a second conductive periphery and is deposited on a second surface. The second surface is spaced apart from the first surface by a gap distance and in parallel relation so that a spark gap is defined by the gap distance between the first conductive periphery and the second conductive periphery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the management of privileges associated with certain applications that are accessible by users of electronic equipment, such as, for example, networked computers, mobile wireless communications devices, and the like. In particular, the disclosure is directed to systems and methods for managing privileges associated with particular applications and for revoking these privileges in a timely and robust manner. For example, the device keeps track of which applications get access to which privileges. When policies or application control changes, the system detects which privileges have been revoked for which applications. This can be accomplished by simply comparing the old set of privileges with the new set of privileges. For each revoked privilege for a given application, the system determines if the application has ever accessed that privilege in the past. If an application has accessed a privilege that is now revoked at any time in the past, the device is reset.

Abstract: A charger has two or more separate charging ports to which two or more rechargeable batteries can be coupled, respectively. Current from a single current source is allocated to the two or more separate charging ports so that the two or more rechargeable batteries will be fully charged at substantially the same time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling centralized memory management in wireless terminal devices. Memory management scripts associated with a wireless application are stored in a registry accessible through a data network for on-demand download and execution. A memory management kernel in each terminal device monitors a memory utilization of the terminal device. Based on the memory utilization, the memory management kernel interacts with an application gateway hosting the terminal device to download and execute one or more of the memory management scripts.

Abstract: Antenna noise temperature is determined for a handheld wireless communication device which typically includes a radio, e.g. having a wireless transceiver and associated circuitry connected thereto, and an antenna connected to the radio. The method includes measuring an antenna thermal noise component, measuring a radio noise component, measuring an environmental background noise component, and determining the antenna noise temperature based upon the measured antenna thermal noise, radio noise, and environmental background noise components. The method may include measuring antenna efficiency, and determining further includes weighting at least one of the measured antenna thermal noise, radio noise and environmental background noise components based upon the measured antenna efficiency.